by Tate Delano, staff writer

Cal High welcomed a new school resource officer for the 2010-11 school year when Hollis Tong took over for Rob Ransom.

Tong, who has worked as a police officer for the past 12 years has recently become Cal’s new resource officer.

“My role is to mentor, teach, protect and investigate any crime that happens on campus,” said Tong.

Tong acts as a liaison between students and police, Princpal Mark Corti said.

Corti said Tong is the right man for the job because he is professional and respectful.

So far, students and staff have responded well to Tong.

“Tong is doing a good job,” said junior Luis Chavez. “He is a good replacement for Officer Ransom.”

Ransom was the school resource officer for more than four years before returning to patrol with the San Ramon police department after last school year ended.

Senior Jennifer Washburn believes the role of school resource officer has become increasingly important at Cal, especially considering the incident last year when several fights broke out in one day.

In his first few months at Cal, Tong has already made two arrests on campus but declined to comment on the ongoing investigations.

“I like to take things case by case,” said Tong. “I would prefer to teach rather than just arrest a student.”

But Tong said he will do whatever  is necessary to maintain order on campus.

Tong was with the Concord police for nine years prior to joining the San Ramon Police Department, where he has served for the last three years.

Tong was inspired to become a police officer when he read about local law enforcement while he was a cafe owner in Walnut Creek.

The article reminded him of a talk given by a police officer in one of his high school classes.

“That stuck in my mind and helped me make my decision to change careers,” said Tong.

The position of resource officer generally rotates every three years, but Tong hopes to be at Cal for four years.

This is Tong’s first time on a high school campus as a resource officer.